Starting With Real Madrid

"Tonight's game reminds me of the Champions League final at Old Trafford."

Sitting in the presidential stand at the Meazza Stadium, Lippi watched the match unfold on the pitch. He spoke quietly, his voice only audible to Ulivieri and the others seated nearby.

He was referring to the 2002-2003 Champions League final between Juventus and AC Milan, held at Old Trafford in Manchester.

It had been a defensive masterpiece—a 0-0 draw after both regular time and extra time, with the match ultimately decided by a penalty shootout.

From a fan's perspective, that final was seen as a disappointment: dull, uneventful, and without a single goal. But from a professional standpoint, it was a tactical battle of the highest order. Both teams executed near-flawless defensive strategies, denying their opponents any clear chances to score. At that level, maintaining a 0-0 scoreline was even harder than finding the back of the net.

That match had cemented Ancelotti's reputation in European football.

The people around Lippi were surprised by his comparison. They hadn't expected him to hold this game in such high regard.

Was it just because this match was still 0-0 after 60 minutes? On the surface, the situations seemed different.

Napoli had controlled the game from the start, creating more chances and showing greater attacking intent. Meanwhile, Inter Milan had only managed three shots, all coming from counterattacks, and were relying heavily on their defensive organization to stay in the game.

"Both managers have maximized the resources available to them," Ulivieri agreed with Lippi's observation. "At the same time, they've minimized the threat posed by their opponents."

The essence of football tactics, after all, is to score goals while preventing the opponent from scoring.

In this game, both teams had clear tactical goals.

Inter Milan, playing at home, focused on defending solidly, looking for opportunities to counter and break through Napoli's lines.

Napoli, on the other hand, sought to take the initiative, relentlessly attacking to breach Inter's defense while remaining vigilant against potential counterattacks.

This created an intriguing stalemate on the pitch.

What elevated the game further was the meticulous attention to detail from both coaches.

Mourinho had crafted a disciplined defensive setup. Whether it was his backline or his three midfielders, Inter Milan absorbed Napoli's relentless attacks with remarkable composure. At the same time, Gao Shen left Inter no room to exploit.

Muntari, who had been a standout in previous games, was completely silenced.

Maicon, Inter's dynamic right-back and one of their primary attacking outlets, was firmly pinned back by Di María. His usual surging runs and creative contributions were nowhere to be seen.

With Muntari nullified on the left and Maicon neutralized on the right, Inter Milan's ability to launch meaningful attacks was crippled. Their counterattacks lacked any real threat, leaving them with just three shots to show for their efforts.

Even Inter's double-center-forward tactic, typically a key feature of Mourinho's game plan, was effectively stifled by Napoli.

Gao Shen deployed a combination of two full-backs, two center-backs, and Thiago Motta shielding the defense. As soon as Inter transitioned into attack, Napoli's defenders and midfielders closed ranks, forming a cage around Ibrahimović and Adriano. Whether the strikers pulled wide or dropped deep, their passing lanes were cut off, rendering them ineffective.

To casual viewers, the game might seem dull. But for seasoned professionals like Lippi and Ulivieri, it was a tactical masterclass particularly from a young coach like Gao Shen.

Serie A has long been known as a proving ground for rookie managers, a tactical crucible where even the smallest mistake could be ruthlessly exploited. Coaches are forced to treat every game as a high-stakes chess match, constantly adapting and refining their strategies.

While Serie A is often criticized for its slower pace, modern managers like Spalletti and Mazzarri have introduced a more dynamic style. Gao Shen, however, has taken it a step further, earning a reputation for his fast-paced transitions and aggressive pressing.

What's even more remarkable is the progress Gao Shen has made in tactical sophistication and in-game adjustments since arriving in Italy. Napoli has become the most exciting team in Serie A this season.

On more than one occasion, Gao Shen's substitutions and adjustments have completely altered the course of a match.

Tonight, he was going toe-to-toe with a heavyweight like Mourinho. One attacked, the other defended; both had clear plans, yet they found themselves evenly matched, each nullifying the other's strengths.

As the game continued without a breakthrough, Ulivieri couldn't help but marvel, "It's unbelievable that Gao Shen is only 28 years old."

If this were a tactical battle between veterans like Ancelotti and Mourinho, no one would bat an eye. But Gao Shen's rise was exceptional.

The football world has often claimed there are no true prodigies in coaching. Even Guardiola, who has dazzled with Barcelona this season, is often criticized for his lack of adaptability during matches. Guardiola's success is attributed more to Barcelona's collective strength and his well-drilled system.

Gao Shen, however, is different.

In just over two years, he's established himself as one of the brightest managerial talents in the game.

This season alone, he's led Napoli to victories over giants like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, as well as Zenit, the reigning Europa League champions under Advocaat.

"If there is such a thing as a genius in coaching," Lippi said thoughtfully, "it would have to be someone like Gao Shen."

Ulivieri was stunned. He hadn't expected Lippi to hold Gao Shen in such high regard.

"He's truly exceptional at Napoli," Lippi continued with a faint smile.

"But the question is," Ulivieri added, "can he break through Inter Milan's iron wall tonight?"

That was the real challenge.

Lippi sighed. "I don't know. At this stage, neither side has any secrets left."

"Mourinho wants to defend and counter. As long as Napoli doesn't make any major mistakes—like David Luiz being overly reckless—Inter will struggle to score. But defensively, they have to stay rock solid."

"Look at Gao Shen," Lippi said, gesturing toward the sideline.

Ulivieri followed his gaze and saw Gao Shen pacing in the technical area, barking instructions at his players.

"Napoli has had nearly 70% possession," Lippi noted. "Some of that has been forced by Napoli's pressing, but a lot of it has been voluntarily conceded by Inter. Right now, Gao Shen's strategy is clear: keep stretching the play and force Inter to expend energy."

Ulivieri nodded. "Napoli does have the edge in fitness."

Napoli's superior physical conditioning has been one of the team's standout features this season. Remarkably, they haven't suffered a single significant injury so far, a testament to the two fitness coaches Gao Shen trusts implicitly.

"Yes," Lippi agreed. "Napoli has the advantage in stamina, so they're forcing Inter into a battle of endurance. Mourinho knows this, but he has no choice but to hold firm. If he gives in, he'll lose."

"Does that mean Napoli has a chance?" Ulivieri asked.

Lippi shook his head. "Maybe, but Mourinho must have prepared for this. What I don't understand is why he only brought one defender, Córdoba, tonight, while leaving players like Pastore, Parejo, and Valencia on the bench."

"Pastore is good at breaking through, Parejo excels at passing, and Valencia is lightning-fast. Each offers something different. The question is, which one will Gao Shen choose or will he use all three? This is what fascinates people about Gao Shen."

At Coverciano, Italy's renowned coaching school, Gao Shen's team-building strategies have even been included in the curriculum. His ability to scout players and integrate them into his system has amazed professionals across the sport.

"He has a way of surprising people," Lippi mused. "No matter how much you prepare, scoring is always the hardest part of football. Defending is easier. Mourinho has undoubtedly devised a plan to frustrate Napoli, and as long as Inter sticks to it, Napoli won't have it easy."

For Inter, a draw at home is acceptable. But for Napoli, it would be a bitter pill to swallow.

As Lippi put it, "Each team has different objectives, so the same result carries a different meaning for each side."

His eyes fell back on Gao Shen, standing animatedly on the sideline.

"I just hope he stays composed and doesn't get reckless. Mourinho is a cunning fox, and he's waiting for Napoli to make a mistake."

Right now, the game's tempo and initiative were firmly in Napoli's hands. As long as they avoided costly errors, Inter's best possible outcome would be a draw.

But as Lippi had pointed out, a draw wasn't something Napoli could accept easily.

By the 60th minute, neither side had made a substitution—a curious detail in such a high-stakes match.

Mourinho stayed mostly in the dugout, emerging only to issue adjustments, while Gao Shen remained on the sidelines, constantly encouraging his players and directing the action.

Time ticked on, each second feeling agonizingly slow for those involved.

For Gao Shen, standing at the heart of the storm, every moment felt like an eternity.